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HYDRANT.

No. 341,687. Patented May 11, 1886.

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Peter R Quim' w.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

P. P. QUIRIN.

HYDRANT.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.4

PETER l?. QUIRIN, OF ST. CLAiR,

HYDRANT.

SPBGIFICATIQN forming pari; of Letters` Patent No. 341,687, dated May 11, 1886, Application filed November 9,1885. Serial No. 189,198. (No mcdcl.)

To all whom, it may concern.:

Be it known that I, PETER P. QULRIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Clair, in the county of Schuylkill and Siate of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hydrants; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which ro it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures ot' reference :marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

A main object of this invention is to enable the body of the hydrant, together with the valves and fittings thereof, to be readily de-v iached from the Water-supply pipe, and to be removed for repairs and cleaning Without inzo volving the necessity of digging up the ground.

This general object has hitherto been accomplished; but by the construction and arrangement involved in this invention the desired result is achieved in a novel and efficient manner.

The general construction of this improved hydrant includes a cylindrical casing, which is permanently sunk' into the ground, and to which the watersupply pipe is permanently 3o Secured, a hydrant-body (that portion of the hydrant which is above ground) which is removably bolted to the cylindrical casing, and a depending skeleton frame permanently secured to or.forming an integral part with the hydrantbody, which supports the valves,

valve-operating mechanism, and water-discharge pipe, and Which, when the hydrant is in operative position, is inclosed within the cylindrical casing, the bottom reaching to or 4o nearly to the bottom of said casing, whereby a connection is formed between the water-sup ply and water-discharge pipes.

In addition to this general construction the invention includes means for draining and 4 5 Ventilating the cylindrical casing, a novel connection betweenF the water-supply and waterdischarge pipes, and an improved construction of cutoff valve and waste-valve for draining the Water-supply pipe, to preventthe same 5c from freezing.-

The invention is illustrated in thc accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a side View of the hydrant complete. Fig. 2 is a side view of the hydrantbody and parts attaehed thereto removed from the cylindrical casing. Fig. 3 is a side view, the lowei` part being shown partly in section, of the cylindrical casing. Fig. 4 is a cross-section ofthe hydrant. Fig. 5 is a side view of the vaivelcasing and the pipe-connections detached. Fig. 6 is a central longitudinal section thereof. Fig. 7 is a section ofthe drainingvalve mechanism, the section being in a plane indicated by the line 7 7 in Fig. 8; and Fig. S is a horizontal section in aplane indicated by the line 8 8 in Fig. 7.

A is the cylindrical casing, which is permanently sunk into the ground,with its top eX- tending just above the surface of the ground, and it is provided with an upper annular dange, a, at the top thereof7 and at its lower end with side flanges, b b. A bottom plate,

B, is bolted to the casing A by bolts c c, which pass through the danges b b on the casing and similar flanges, d d, on the bottom plate. A water-supply-pipe fitting, C, is secured to the bottom plate Within the casing. This fitting has a' horizontal branch, e, which extends out through an aperture, f, in the lower part of the casing, which branch connects with a water-main, and a vertical branch, g, which communicates with the water-discharge pipe. This fitting C is formed with a cylindrical projection, It, on its bottom, which tits into a recess or aperture formed in the bottom plate, B,wh ere by the fitting is held accurately in its proper position. This fitting is also provided With side flanges, i t', by which it is firmly secured to the bottom plate by bolts j j, which extend through the bottom plate.

The hydrant-body D is provided at its lower end with an annular ange, k, and when the hydrant-body is placed in position above the cylindrical casing the liange k is located just above the iange a at the top of the casing. Short bolts Z l, passing through these two adjacent anges, serve to secure the hydrant body to the casing. The dange a being just above the surface of the ground, easy and ready access may be had to the bolts Z Z, to remove the same, and so detach the hydrantbody from the casing.

IOO

Depending from thehydrant-body, and eithl casing, and the aperturcf a ventilatiiig pas er rigidly secured thereto or formed integrally therewith, is a skeleton frame consist-ing of two straight-arms, E E, which extend downward parallel with each other, and are connected together at the bottom by an annular supporting-plate,F. Zhenthehydrantbody is secured to the casing, these arms extend down within the casing, and reach nearly down to the supply-pipe fitting C. These arms are elliptical in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 4.

G is the valvecasing, which is formed with tlanges on m, by which it is secured by bolts n n to the annular supportingplate F. To the valve-casing are connected the valve-operating rod H, which extends upward between the arms E E and through the hydrant-body to the handle I at the top of the hydrant-body, and the water-discharge pipe J, which extends in a similar nianner to the nozzle K. The valve-casing is formed on its bottom with a ,cylindrical projection, o, which iits into and extendsthrough an aperture formed in the supporting-plate F, whereby it is accurately held in proper position. A downwardly-projecting nozzle, L, communicating with the interior ot' the valve-casing and extending from the bottom ofthe projection o, lits into the vertical branch ofthe supply-pipe fitting. Surrounding the nozzle L, and seated against the shoulder formed between the nozzle and projection 0, is an elastic packingring, p, which rents upon the upper surface of the supplypipe fitting when. the nozzleis inserted therein, thus making a watertight joint. Vhen the liydrantfbody is placed in position on the casing, the nozzle L is brought into proper po sition over and within the supplypipe iittiug, and by screwing up the bolts Z Z, which secure the hydrant-body and casing, the elastic packing-ring is compressed between the projection o on the valve-casing and the upper surface ofthe vertical branch of the supply-pipe iitting to any desired extent, to secure a perfectly water-tight joint. This packing-ring 19 is preferably held part-ly within the aperture in thc supporting-plate F, the projection o not extending entirely through said plate. This arrangement prevents the spreading of the ring under the pressure to which it is subjected. There is no necessity of the nozzle L fitting tightly in the supply-pipe fitting, and it preferably [its loosely therein. The aperturef at the lower end of the casing, through which the horizontal brauch of the supply-pipe itting extends, is made of a suficient size to constitute a drainage-port to carry off any water which may collect in the casing, as happens when the discharge-pipe is drained, as will hereinafter appear. Above this aperturef is a second aperture, f', in the casing, which constitutes a ventilating-opening. Theie is always more or less of an opening left between the flange a on the casing and the flange 7c on the hydrant-body, so as to leave an ainpassage above ground between them, and through this opening, the interior of the sage is formed for the warm vapors arising from the ground, which, passing through the casing, materially increase the temperature within the casing and reduce the liability of the freezing of the water within the casing. By this arrangement of the casing, hydrantbody, and iittings it will be seen that the outer surface of the casing is the only part which comes in contact with the earth, the connecting-bolts being entirely above ground, and all the other parts being within and protected by the casing and hydrantbody. The hydrantbody is easily separated from the casing by simply loosening the bolts connecting the iianges, and then all the valve-fittings are at once removed from the easing, and access can be had to all the parts for repairing and cleansing. The depending skeleton fraaie not only enables ready access to the valve fittings, but is also much lighter and more economical in manufacture than if it were a closed tube. This depending frame is a very important feature of this invention.

In order to obtain a watertight connection between the waterinlet and outlet pipes, con* siderable force is applied to the fastening-bolts Z Z, and this strain is borne by the depending frame, instead of bythe water-discharge pipe. This arrangement also permits the valve-operating rod to be entirely separate from the water-discharge pipe, which is in all cases desirable. The watersupply fitting cannot get out of order, on account of being rigidly and permanently boltedv to the bottom of the casing, and to clean it, if necessary to do so, is easily accomplished by turning on the water before the hydrant-body is inserted into the casing. In this connection the advantage of the described coupling between the valve-casing, nozzle, and the water-Supply fittingis most clearly apparent. In those cases whereascrewthreaded coupling is used the moment that the parts are tlrst brought together the discharge of water is shut ot'f, and any mud or sand within the outer casing is at once deposited about the coupling, injuring the threads of the screws and preventing the parts being screwed tightly together. Vith the coupling here described there are no screw-threads, and as the nozzle fits loosely in the supplycasting the discharge of water will not be entirely shut off until the packing-ring is seated squarely against the supply-casting.

The valve-casing proper contains a main valvechamber, M, which communicates directly with a passage, N, extending through the nozzle L, and a branch chamber, O, coinmunicating with the valve-chamber at the lower part thereof, and which also comn1uni- Cates with the discharge-pipe J, which fits therein. In this valvechamber the main cutoft' valve l? works. This valve slides up and down within the valve-chamber, and is provided on its under side with an elasting packing-ring, q, which forms a water-tight joint when the valve is brought against the valve- IOC IIO

seat formed atthe bottom ofthe chamber. The valve when, down thus, closes the passage N, leading from the water-supply pipe, and shuts ofi' communication with the discharge-pipe chamber C). \Vhen the valve is raised from its seat, the passage N is uncovered,and communication is then established between the water supply and discharge pipes. The valve is formed on its uppersidewith a guide-plate, Q, one side of which slides between projecting .aways r r, formed on the side of the vaivechamber, and the other side of the valve is formed with agroove, s, which slides upon a similar way, r', formed on the opposite side of the valve chamber. The valve is thus held from turning` and constitutes a slide-valve. The upper end ofthe valvechamber is closed by a cap, R, which is screwed thereto.

Rotatively attached to the valve is the valvestem S, which is screw-threaded, and passes through a female-screwthreaded passage extending through the cap R. To the upper end of this valve-stein is secured a coupling, T, which connects the valve-stem to the valveoperating rod H. This coupling is formed with a rectangular aperture, in which the squared lower end of the operating-rod [its.` rIhis, while insuring the rotation of the valvestem when the rod is rotated by the handle I, permits the valve-casing to be easily separated from the operating'rod when desirable. The rotation of the valve-stem screws the same up and down in the cap R, t-hus raising and lowering the valve P. A's the cap R is rarely disturbed, its threads render it sufficiently water tight; but through constant use the threads of the valve-stem will notalways remain watertight. To prevent any leakage from this source the cap R is formed on its top with a tubular projection, U, exteriorly screw-threaded, through which the valve stem passes. Fitting over this projection is a female-screw threaded thimble,V, which encircles the valvestem. Within this thimble, and encircling the u valve-stem, anysuitablepackiug material, t, is

placed, and upon screwing the thimble down upon the projection U this packing is compressed and packs the valvestem.

Vhen the hydrant has been used and the water again shut off by closing the cut-off valve P, the water-discharge pipe is left full of water, which, u nless drained orf, would freeze in cold weatherand burst the pipe. To drain oit this water the flowing mechanism is adopted; The valve P does not entirely till the valve-chambe", but is of a diameter less than the diameter of said chamber. The space in the chamber above the valve is thus at all times in communication with the discharge-pipe. To drain off the pipe and the valve-chamber a waste-port, u, is cut in the wall of the chamber, which establishes communication with the outer space within the casing A. This port is located in the wall of the chamber between the projecting ways r r, between which the valve-extension Q slides. In order that this port may not be open when the hydrant is in use, an elastic waste-valve,

W, is carried by the projection Q.' This waste-valve, when the main valve is seated, is just below the waste-port, thus leaving the same open. Vhen, however, the main valve is raised to turn on the water, the waste-valve is at once brought over the wastevport, thus closing the saine and keeping it closed while the hydrant is in use. As this waste-valve is preferably held. as shown,` between arms on extension Q, which prevent the vertical displacement, the upper arm, w, is provided with a groove or passage, x, on its face, which establishes communication with the port u when the main valve is closed. Lateral displacement of the waste-valve is prevented by the projecting ways r r. The water passing through the wasteport runs into the interior ofthe casing A, and from thence escapes into the ground through the apertures.

These improvements, though designed especially for domestic hydrants, are equally applicable to tire-plugs and all cases where water u nder pressure is to be used and shut oft'.

I claim as my inventionl. A hydrantcasing permanentlysunk into the ground and a hydrant-body removably secured thereto, in combination with a depending skeleton frame secured to said hytirant-body, said frame being composed ot' two rigid parallel arms connected together by a plate at their lower ends, which frame is inclosed within said casing when the hydrant is in position for use, a valve-casing supported by the bottom plate of said depending frame, and a valve operating rod and a water-discharge pipe extending upward from said valvecasing through said inclosingcasing and through said hydrant-body, substantially as set forth.

2. A hydrant-casing which is permanently sunk into the ground and a water-supply titting centrally secured within and to the bottom ofsaid casing, in combination with a hydrant-body removably secured to said casing, a depending frame secured to said body and extending down within, but unattached to, said casing, a supporti ngplate secured to the lower end of said frame, said plate having a central opening, a valve-casing secured to the upper surface of said plate, a downwardlyprojecting nozzle upon said valvecasing, which extends through the opening in said supporting-plate and enters said supply-titting, and a valve-rod and water-discharge pipe connected with said` valve-casing and extending upwardly through said hydrant-body, substantially as set fort-h.

3. A hydrant-casing provided with a bottom plate having an aperture or recess in the' center thereof and a water-supply fitting secured to said bottom plate and havingacylindrical projection which tits in said aperture or recess, in combination with a hydrant-body removably secured to said hydrant-casing, depending arms secured to said body, which reach nearly to the bottom of said hydrant- IIO casing, a supporting-plate secured to the lower ends of said arms, said plate having a central opening therein, and a valveeasing secured to said supportingplate, said easing having a doWnwardly-projecting nozzle which extends through said aperture in saidsupporting-plate and enters said watersuppl'y fitting, substantially as set forth.

4. A hydrant-casing, a water-Supply lit-ting carried thereby, said tting having an upwardly-extendng open branch, and a hydrantbody removably secured to said easing7 in combination with a depending frame attached to said body and extending downward into said easing, a snpportingplate carried at the lower end ot' said frame, said plate having a central opening, a valvecasng secured to the upper surface of said supporting-plate, said casing having a downwardlyextending pro- PETER P. QUIRIN.

XV i tnesses:

ARTHUR S. BROWNE, S. H. VALKER. 

